Tuesday, February 14, 2012

“When I’m not writing” with Regan Hastings

Our Valentine’s Day visitor is Regan Hastings, author of The Awakening series. You may also know her as Maureen Child, author of dozens (and dozens!) of contemporary romance novels. She’s an absolute delight and I hope you’ll join me in warmly welcoming Regan/Maureen to the blog!

Oh God, I’m having anxiety trying to think of something interesting that I do when I’m not writing!! Mostly I am writing. Either contemporaries for Harlequin Desire or witchy paranormals for NAL. I’m either in the middle of a book or doing the proposal for the next book. Sounds so boring.

Quick! Be interesting!

I read a LOT. This is just one of a gazillion or so bookcases at my house, this one is crammed with research books, photos and a few of the awards my books have won. I have a million or so ‘keeper’ books, that I reread constantly and I always seem to get something new out of those old favorites.

There’s travel, of course. Haven’t been there in a few years now, but our favorite place to go is Ireland. Last time, we rented a cottage in County Mayo for a month and it was fabulous—and I just warned my husband I’m really ready to go back.

Lately though, a lot of my ‘free’ time has been taken up with getting my backlist books up on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. While it’s really fun and great to get my older books out so people can read and enjoy them, I’m getting a real lesson in things like covers! Who knew it was so hard to get a really good cover look? I have a whole new respect for publishers’ art departments. This picture is the latest book we put up and I love the cover! The book, CHARMS, is a western historical that’s sexy, funny and heartwarming all at the same time and I think this cover really gets that message across.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the guy’s gorgeous and naked.

Oh, and another new hobby…cleaning. That’s just horrifying, but we’re trying to sell our house and I’m having to clean every other minute or so just to keep a lid on what happens to a house when you have two people who work at home! This picture’s of a St. Joseph statue my cousin sent me. I still haven’t buried it by the For Sale sign. Hmm. Maybe that’s why I’m still cleaning every other minute……

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Thank you for visiting the blog today, Regan! I think your anxiety was unfounded. =)

In the ten years since magic has reemerged in the world, witches have become feared and hunted. For weeks Shea Jameson has been haunted by visions of fire. When she unintentionally performs a spell in public, she becomes one of the hunted. Her only hope is Torin, a dangerously sensual man who claims to be her eternal mate.

Every witch has a destined mate, an Eternal who will serve as her guardian and complete her powers. Once the coven has awakened, the witches must race against time to join with their Eternals and protect the relics that will prevent the destruction of the world…

The Awakening is upon Teresa Santiago. Despite training for this moment since she was a child, Teresa is unprepared for the vastness of her power or for her attraction to Rune, her Eternal protector and destined mate.

United by purpose—and passion—Teresa and Rune must locate one of the missing artifacts before its power unleashes the forces of darkness on the world. His strength and her ability to summon lightning should be enough to protect them from the government agents charged with imprisoning witches. But their enemies are both mortal and magical—and danger follows Teresa at every turn.

In this ultimate battle between good and evil, only through sacrifice will love conquer all…

Do you guys have suggestions for who you’d like to see featured on the blog? If so, you can make your suggestions on this page. No guarantees that your favorite authors will be able to participate but we’ll try!

Authors, would you like to visit and share with us? Please email me at jennblogs (at) gmail (dot) com and we’ll set it up!

Fun blog! I’m sorry to hear about your cleaning hobby. That doesn’t sound fun at all. But if it helps you sell your house, then go for it. Maybe if you bury St. Joseph, your house will stay clean miraculously. It could happen.